The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. FRIDAY, JUNE 3,1927. ENGLAND IN EGYPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 129, 3 June 1927, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3,1927. ENGLAND IN EGYPT.

For the cause that lacks assistance, Fbr the wrong that need* resistance. For the future is the distance. Ami the good that «w can do,

■ m When Britain conferred virtual autonomy upon Egypt it was clearly and carefully pointed out in the Declaration of 1922 that the British Government regarded itself as still possessing certain rights and exercising certain responsibilities in that country. The necessity for guarding against the recrudescence of barbarism in the Sudan and protecting Egypt against a revival of Mahdiism, the vital importance of the Suez Canal to the British Empire, and the immense value of British investments in the Yalley of the Nile, provide ample justification for the decision then reached to maintain a considerable body of British troops in Egypt and to retain the right to organise and control the Egyptian army. To understand the present crisis it U necessary to bear in mind that the only question now at issue is this right of military control, to which the Nationalist party is vehemently hostile. "We do not think that anyone but a violently prejudiced partisan can take any serious exception to the tone or the character of the British Note. It has been correctly described as "firm but friendly," and it purports simply to clear up "varibus misunderstandings which have arisen for some time past in regard to the Egyptian army." The Note explains at length the reasons that induced Britain to retain a military control in J"eTypt, it describes the nature of that control, and it indicates plainly that the continuance of this system is essential to the safety of Egypt and the security of its people, whose interests and liberties would be speedily jeopardised if once the army became "the plaything of party strife." But though the attempt made by the Nationalists to eliminate British control is clearly a breach of the agreement of 1922, the Note refrains entirely from reproof or dictation, but appeals to the Egyptian Government "to put forward proposals as to how the necessary co-operation by Britain in the military affairs of the country may be most effectively ensured." ' Some additional light was thrown on the situation two days ago by the statement that Sir A. Chamberlain made to the House of Commons. Our Foreign Minister explained that the whole question of military control has been raised by the Nationalists in Egypt, with the object of securing power over the army, as a weapon to be utilised for the purposes of party warfare. If the recent proposals of the War Committee of the Chamber of Deputies were carried out they would have the effect of subordinating the Sirdar and his British officers to the Egyptian Ministry, and the party which happened to have a majority in the Egyptian Parliament would thus be able "to exercise unchecked power over the army." Sir A. Chamberlain laid stress upon the amicable tone of the British Note, and held out hopes of a negotiated settlement that would provide a basis for more friendly relations in the future. But a serious obstacle to any satisfactory compromise is r.presented by Zaghlul Pasha and the Nationalists, who are determined to get rid of British control altogether, and who are doing their best to embarrass King Fuad on the eve of his departure for England, so rs to render it extremely difficult for him to accept Britain's demands.